The Dolphins added elite tight end Julius Thomas in a trade. Thomas, who just turned 29 in June, is entering the prime years of his career and had two amazing season under Adam Gase when the two were in Denver.

Former Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano, who was one of the top blocking tight ends in the NFL last season, is back for a second go-round in Miami.

Gase is entering his second season as Miami’s head coach with a better team (on paper) than he had in year one. The big question will be whether he can continue to build on the Dolphins surprising 10-win, playoff appearance campaign they enjoyed in 2016.

“During the interview process, Bob blew us away with his preparation, his passion, knowledge and dedication to the game,” Tallon said at the time.

Florida is a team packed with young, talented players that could very easily become a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.

Speaking of young…the Panthers also created some relatively big shockwaves when free agency opened and they chose not to offer a new contract to future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr.

Jagr had spent parts of the past three seasons with Florida and was a huge fan favorite.

Tallon made it clear that while Jagr was loved, appreciated and admired throughout the organization, he didn’t fit with the team’s new direction under Boughner.

MIAMI HEAT

The Heat’s big story of the offseason has to do with nothing but free agency. Pat Riley is always a major player in the process and the big target of the summer was Gordon Haywayd.

Well, Miami missed out on Hayward (he chose to sign with Boston) so Riley quickly re-signed the players who led the Heat to an Eastern Conference best 30-11 record during the second half of the season.